RIVERSIDE, CALIF.
A prison guard correctional officer working for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at the Victorville Federal Correctional Complex was arrested on federal civil rights and assault charges stemming from an incident in which she allegedly kicked a female inmate in the head, according to officials.
Cynthia Flores, 34, of Victorville, was arrested Monday and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on charges in a four-count indictment, officials said.
Flores is charged in an indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on Sept. 7.
If she is convicted on all counts, Flores would face up to 45 years in prison.
The indictment accuses Flores of deprivation of rights under color of law, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, falsifying records and making false statements and concealing material facts in a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.S; Department of Justice.
The charges stem from an incident in which Flores allegedly assaulted an inmate at the women’s prison camp in Victorville on June 2, 2013.
During the evening count, when correctional officers ensure that all inmates are present, Flores initiated a physical altercation with the victim inmate.
After the inmate’s hands were placed in restraints behind her back, and she was held chest down on the floor, Flores allegedly kicked the inmate in the head.
“Law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold the civil rights of all Americans, and, when those rights are violated, we must act decisively,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “No citizen should have to suffer the physical abuse by a law enforcement authority alleged in this case. Such abuse not only undermines the integrity of our justice system, but undermines the professional work being done by the vast majority correctional officers.”
Following the incident, Flores allegedly submitted both a written incident report and a videotaped oral report in which she described a verbal and physical altercation with the inmate.
The indictment alleges that Flores falsely stated that the inmate had assaulted her, when it was actually Flores who assaulted the inmate by pushing the inmate into a wall, striking her and kicking her in the head.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.